Halloween outfits based on your Cambridge Uni archetype

The potential costumes are endless, and sometimes it can be difficult to figure out exactly what lingerie and animal ears combo you want to wear. Luckily, I have a list of suggestions tailored to you, based on Kirsty Falconer’s Cambridge archetypes.

And, before you ask, I am absolutely qualified to give Halloween costumes as my costume last year went semi-viral on TikTok (I’m being humble, I got over one million views x).

1. The rower

Look, I know Halloween is supposed to be scary but wearing your rowing unitard is, frankly, crossing a line. You can be a rower the other 364 days of the year, so please PLEASE use this night as the opportunity to be someone different (and less annoying).

Get creative!

2. Sidge girlie

A good Halloween outfit needs to be fun and recognisable, which definitely rules out Sylvia Plath. But of course, as a Sidge girlie, your outfit needs to be a bit edgy and a bit different.

How about Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction? She’s instantly recognisable AND the film was directed by Quentin Tarantino, so you can still feel slightly more unique than if you were to wear a devil costume.

3. The Eton alumnus

I’m putting my foot down. You CANNOT just wear a suit and pretend to be a disgraced politician because you’re in The Union. Stop foreshadowing your future because I am TIRED of this idea. If your outfit isn’t fun (and slutty) enough to cause a scandal* in your election to parliament, do better.

* The scandal being ‘Wow they were hot and wild at university” NOT “Wow that was a completely inappropriate and tone-deaf costume”.

A conversation starter of a costume would definitely be this inflatable alien abduction Halloween costume.

4. The goody two shoes

If you are slightly uncomfortable with the lingerie and animal ears concept, don’t worry. Halloween costumes can cater for everyone. The past few years have seen lots of Y2K revival, so I would maybe lean into the iconic characters of the 2000s.

Have you considered Andy from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? A yellow dress and up-do would complete this look, with the bonus that you can probably wear whatever yellow dress you buy to formal at some point.

Alternatively, there is the iconic 13 Going on 30 dress, which is instantly recognisable.

For group costumes, the Spice Girls never fail and this is super relevant with the release of the Beckham documentary. I also think the Barden Bellas from Pitch Perfect could be an easy, fun group costume!

5. The Brainiac

Put the books down. Close the laptop. And no, you can’t wear a plain t-shirt and just say you’re Mark Zuckerberg. But if you want a low-key Halloween costume, then I have plenty of ideas. For something that says “I put a limited amount of effort into this but I am up to date with popular culture” then a character from The Bear is perfect.

Also, a toga (bedsheet) and a glass of wine, can be a fun reference to the Roman Empire TikTok trend which recently went viral.

6. The Poet

I know you love a metaphor, and when I think of metaphors I think of one man, and one man only. Augustus Waters. Anyone who understood this reference straight away gets 10 brownie points. Augustus Waters is a character in The Fault in Our Stars and often carries around an unlit cigarette. Why?  “It’s a metaphor, you see. You put the thing that does the killing right between your teeth, but you never give it the power to kill you”.

Poetic.

You will spend the whole night explaining this costume, but if you bump into me I will find it funny, and who else really matters?

7. The Loved-up Couple (extra)

So, you’ve braved the world of Cambridge dating and been successful? Fair play.

I mainly added a couples category so I could suggest some of my favourite costume ideas. I love the idea of any famous landmark and tourist (think Statue of Liberty and a tourist with an “I heart NY” t-shirt) but my favourite costume idea is something else. The ONLY reason I am not gatekeeping is because I can’t use it this year.

Hailey Bieber and Justin Bieber. Specifically, this:

After reading this there is NO reason to not be slaying on Halloween – don’t let me down!

Feature Image Credits: Beca Jenkins

Related articles recommended by this author:

• How to spot ghosts in Cambridge this Halloween
• The Cambridge Creepies: A degree told in Halloween costumes
• Here’s the ultimate autumn watchlist to distract you from the realities of first term!